Timeless Tales: Alcohol bust leads to fracas for officer

An Amarillo police officer must have felt high and lonesome when an arrest for illegal consumption of alcohol threatened to get out of hand.

According to a Sept. 1, 1969, Amarillo Daily News account, Officer Jerry Hyman answered a call to the 1200 block of Jefferson Street on a complaint of illegal alcohol consumption.

When several men moved onto city property (between the sidewalk and the curb), Hyman approached the group for identification. When a man ran to the front porch of a residence, the APD officer gave chase, and a scuffle ensued.

According to the story, Hyman's report said 18 to 20 male and female residents emerged from the house, and the patrolman asked a 50-year-old man observing the scuffle to telephone for help. When the observer replied that he had no telephone, the patrolman told him to use the police car radio, but the man refused.

In quick fashion, the Hyman subdued the man, handcuffed him and placed him in the police car.

When backup arrived, the real fun started after Hyman and crew:

arrested a 19-year-old for illegal consumption of beer;

arrested the 50-year-old for refusing to give aid to an officer making a legal arrest;

arrested a 24-year-old for illegal consumption and contributing to the delinquency of a minor;

arrested another 24-year-old for illegal consumption, contributing to the delinquency of a minor and aggravated assault on a police officer; and

turned over two juvenile girls to the juvenile authorities.

According to the story, Hyman received injuries to the left arm and left ring finger during the scuffle.